Insulated roof window

Abstract

A roof window frame comprising at least four elongate frame members joined about their ends forming a quadrangular shaped frame defining a central aperture. Each frame member has a main aperture facing surface and a main roof facing surface, the two main surfaces facing in opposite directions with the thickness of the frame member being defined between these main surfaces. The frame members have a reduced thickness base member and an integral insulation member carried on the main roof facing surface of the reduced thickness base member so that the overall size and shape of the reduced thickness base member and the integral insulation member is the same as an unaltered frame member for the same specification of roof window.

1 . A roof window frame comprising at least four elongate frame members joined about their ends forming a quadrangular shaped frame defining a central aperture, each frame member having a main aperture facing surface and a main roof facing surface, the two main surfaces facing in opposite directions with the thickness of the frame member being defined between these main surfaces, the frame members comprising a reduced thickness base member and an integral insulation member carried on the main roof facing surface of the reduced thickness base member so that the overall size and shape of the reduced thickness base member and the integral insulation member is the same as an unaltered frame member for the same specification of roof window. 
     
     
         2 . The roof window frame as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the insulation member comprises a panel of insulation material. 
     
     
         3 . The roof window frame as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the base member is a wooden base member. 
     
     
         4 . The roof window frame as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a plastic material, composite material or any material with sufficient structural strength and durability can be used for the base member of the roof window frame. 
     
     
         5 . The roof window frame as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the integral insulation member comprises a rigid plastic housing filled with an insulation material. 
     
     
         6 . The roof window frame as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a support member sandwiched between the reduced thickness base member and the insulation member. 
     
     
         7 . The roof window frame as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the reduced thickness base member, the insulation member, and/or the support member have a generally uniform cross section along their length. 
     
     
         8 . The roof window frame as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the insulation members are combined into an insulation collar surrounding the perimeter of the reduced thickness base member. 
     
     
         9 . The roof window frame as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the insulation members are combined into an insulation collar surrounding the perimeter of the support member. 
     
     
         10 . The roof window frame as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein at least two support members are combined into a reinforcing collar surrounding the perimeter of the reduced thickness base member. 
     
     
         11 . The roof window frame as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the insulation member covers predetermined parts of or the entire roof facing surface of the reduced thickness base member or support member. 
     
     
         12 . The roof window frame as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the support member covers predetermined parts of or the entire roof facing surface of the reduced thickness base member. 
     
     
         13 . The roof window frame as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a support member, wherein the insulation member is sandwiched between the reduced thickness base member and the support member. 
     
     
         14 . The roof window frame as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein a central aperture facing surface of the support member is ribbed or has a honeycomb configuration with the insulation member being sandwiched between the central aperture facing surface of the support member and the roof facing surface of the reduced thickness base member. 
     
     
         15 . A roof window frame comprising at least four elongate frame members joined about their ends forming a quadrangular shaped frame defining a central aperture, each frame member having a main aperture facing surface and a main roof facing surface, the frame members comprising a base member and an integral insulation means carried on the main roof facing surface of the base member, the integral insulation means having a main aperture facing surface and a main roof facing surface, the two main surfaces facing in opposite directions with the thickness of the integral insulation member being defined between these main surfaces, the integral insulation means having a uniform thickness between these two main surfaces along the length and height of the integral insulation member, the aperture facing surface of the integral insulation member being approximately the same size as the main roof facing surface of the base member. 
     
     
         16 . The roof window frame as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the integral insulation member extends from a bottom edge of the main roof facing surface of the base member to an upper edge of the main roof facing surface of the base member so that the base member and the integral insulation member are substantially in alignment along their corresponding upper and lower edges. 
     
     
         17 . The roof window frame as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the roof window frame is incorporated into a roof window. 
     
     
         18 . A method of manufacturing a roof window frame comprising joining at least four elongate frame members about their ends forming a quadrangular shaped frame defining a central aperture, each frame member having a main aperture facing surface and a main roof facing surface, the two main surfaces facing in opposite directions with the thickness of the frame member being defined between these main surfaces, the method comprising the steps of preparing a frame member of the frame with a reduced thickness base member compared to an unaltered frame member of a roof window with the same specification and adhering an insulation member to a roof facing surface of the reduced thickness base member so that the overall size and shape of the reduced thickness base member and the insulation member is the same as an unaltered frame member for the same specification of roof window. 
     
     
         19 . The method of manufacturing a roof window frame as claimed in  claim 18 , further comprising the step of inserting a support member between the reduced thickness base member and the insulation member. 
     
     
         20 . The method of manufacturing a roof window frame as claimed in  claim 19 , further comprising the step of forming an insulation collar from the insulation members to surround the reduced thickness base member or the support members. 
     
     
         21 . The method of manufacturing a roof window frame as claimed in  claim 19 , further comprising the step of bonding the insulation member to the reduced thickness base member or the support member.